Creative writing is a term used for writing that is not necessarily tied to one genre or even one style. While it can be difficult to classify, the term generally refers to stories, poems, and other works that follow a unique creative vision. Creative writing can be used as a mode of writing, or it can be used as a creative end in itself, with no other goal in mind than to explore new ideas and perspectives. Creative writing is often associated with art but can be found in the form of fiction and non-fiction.
Differences Between Creative and Conventional Writing
Many people who have not written for a long time may not immediately think of creative writing when asked to write something. After all, doesn’t every piece of writing have to follow a certain format or be based on a pre-established genre? While not necessarily untrue, this question ignores a lot of variety that can be found in creative writing, which makes it harder for the average person to understand. In creative writing, the formatting can be more flexible and the genre can be explored in new ways, allowing for experimentation and originality.
An example of this variety can be found in the form of modern poetry. While the form has existed for centuries, it was not until the twentieth century that it became widely accepted and appreciated. It was during this time that free verse began to emerge, as poets used this mode of writing to express a wide variety of ideas and topics through their art. While traditional forms of poetry still exist, such as the sonnet or the villanelle, these modern works often contradict the traditional mold, exploring new ways of expression and making the forms more dynamic and alive. This is why when asked about writing, many people may think about creative writing first, as it is often associated with innovation and progress.
What is a Creative Writing MFA?
The most obvious and common differences between conventional and creative writing can be found in the name of each school: while the MFA in Creative Writing will teach you to craft stories, poems, and other media according to the unique quirks of your mind, the MFA in Conventional Writing will teach you to follow set patterns and formulas. However, this does not mean that one is inherently better than the other; instead, it depends on the particular goals that you have in mind for yourself as a writer.
If you are looking for a solid foundation in prose, you will find very little variety in the MFA in Conventional Writing. The goal of these programs is to teach you to craft effective essays and other forms of non-fiction, which can still be considered creative writing. In order to make this form of writing more interesting and dynamic, graduate students in these programs are encouraged to explore different styles and forms, in addition to following set rules and patterns. This can make the difference between a blandly competent writing machine and a professional writer who is able to experiment with different narrative techniques and see the results of their work.
How Is Creative Writing Different From Blogging?
While the two can be quite similar, creative writing is broader than blogging. In general, a blog post will be considered creative writing if it has some sort of narrative component, whether through the use of dialogue, scenes from alternate perspectives, or even the occasional use of metaphors on the part of the author. An example of this can be found in the blog post “The Art of Fiction,” by Scott O’Connor, which explores the structure and process of creative writing, as well as touches on many of the popular misconceptions attached to the form. In the post, O’Connor uses a series of metaphors and other examples of creative writing in action to make his points – creating a cohesive narrative from a series of short, snappy examples. Essentially, the blog post is made up of short, snappy scenes that build on one another to create a cohesive narrative. These posts can be considered creative writing even if they do not meet the formal requirements of a novel or short story, because they still possess the qualities of novelty and experimentation that make for interesting reading.
On the other hand, an infographic may be considered creative writing if it incorporates some narrative into its design and construction. The creator of the infographic “The Difference Between Blogging and Creative Writing” makes this clear by laying out the various formats and defining the differences between each, as well as providing a few tips on how to become a successful journalist, blogger, or designer.
Can You Teach Creative Writing?
As mentioned above, the formal requirements for most MFA programs in creative writing vary by school. Many require that students complete a Master’s thesis or dissertation, which may be considered an extension of the graduate student’s creative writing work. However, as long as you can prove that you have mastered the appropriate tools of composition, you can teach yourself or others to be more creative writers. To do this, you will need to understand the basic components that make up a story, poem, or other piece of writing. Most importantly, you will need to understand what makes this writing different from other forms of prose – what makes it creative. Once you do, you will be able to teach others to be more creative as well.
Why Should You Pursue an MFA in Creative Writing?
If you are looking for a way to put your creative side to work, you should consider pursuing an MFA in creative writing. With jobs becoming fewer and farther between, more and more people are turning to the creative arts to provide them with some sense of identity and meaning. Many people with creative writing degrees end up becoming successful professionals in their fields, and many more find success in academia, either through their own creative writing publications or through their teaching careers. A good number of these individuals establish themselves as significant figures in their subject matter, often becoming sought-after educators and authors on their own topics. These are just some of the reasons why you should try for an MFA in creative writing; below, we will discuss some of the specific benefits of this form of education.
Why Study Creative Writing?
An MFA in Creative Writing will give you a wide variety of tools that you can use to craft stories, poems, and other works that follow your unique creative vision. Many different formats and styles will be familiar to you, as you have likely studied or at least practiced in multiple genres and styles, which you can now choose from in your own work. If you have a good imagination, you can use your creativity to write anything you please; however, an MFA in creative writing will teach you how to do this effectively and how to find commercial success in your writing, through publication or other means.
How Can an MFA in Creative Writing Help You?
Many different careers can be considered creative writing, but here are just some of the specific ways that an MFA in Creative Writing will be beneficial to you: